Quick-release device for grinding-mills.



PATLNTLD 06T. a, L903.

S.SLIYDLR.

f QUICK RELEASE DEVICE P0P. GLINDING MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25| 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

\ No MODEL.

/N KEN T011 Attorney No. 740,479. PATENTED OCT. 6, 1903.

S. SN'YDERl QUICK RELEASE DEVICE POR GRINDINGMILLS. APPLIoArIoN FILED JUNE 26, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-fA-VENTOR Y E Allarneg/ UNITED STATES intenten octet/er e, 190e.

PATENT Ori-ien SIMON SNYDER, OF MUNOY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO SPROUT,

VVALDRON AND COMPANY,0F BOROUGH OF MUNCY, PENNSYL- VANIA, A CORPORATION` OF PENNSYLVANIA.

QU'ICK-REL-EA-SE DEVICE FO`R GRlNDlNG-NIILLSi vf5PECIFIGACLION forming part of Letters' Patent No.' 740,479, Vfla-ted October 6, 1903.

Application filed J' une 261902. Serial No. 113,339. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON SNYDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muncy, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Quick-Release Devices for Grinding-Mills; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de: scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,

This invention relates to attrition -mills, and particularly to quick-release devices for edecting instant separationof the burs or disks to permit the passage olany foreign substance liable to injure the grinding-surfaces or to allow the mill to run without grinding.

The principal objects of the invention are, first, to provide a simple and efficient device of this character whereby the grinding-surfaces may be instantly released and separated, and, second, to combine said quick-release with improved adjusting devices for yieldingly holding the grinding-surfaces together and regulating the pressure between them in accordance with the quality of work desired,

the arrangement being such that the runnerheads or disks or )ours may be separated without aiecting said adjusting devices and may quickly be brought together again in their former position without the necessity of any readjustment. Y y

The invention will hereinafter be first fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and then pointed out in the claims following the description.

In said drawings, Figure l represents in perspective a portion of an attrition-mill with my improved quick-release device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is arhorizontal section of the quick-release device and connections in position for maintaining the grinding-surfaces to- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical secgether.

Fig. l is a longitudinal tion. of the same.

A vertical section of a spring-actuated device cooperating with the quick-release to separate the grinding-surfaces when released; and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section through shaft carries a runner-head or grinding plate or disk within the casing E, the grindingsurface of which confronts a similar grinding-surface, which may be either rotary or stationary.

The letter F denotes a casing which is bolted to the rear shaftbearing or otherwisel xed in place. Slidably arranged therein is a stepbox G, in which the end ofthedriving-shaft is journaled. The rear end oli-this step-box projects beyond said casing and is exterior-ly threaded and has screwed thereon another casing H, which may be considered as a rearward extension or adjustable part of the stepbox. At its forward end the step box Yis formed with a flange or shoulder g, slidably fitting within the casing F, and a stout spring' I .is interposed between said shoulder g and an internal iiange or shoulder f, formed at the rear of the casing. The force of this springnthus presses the step-box and 'casing Hforwardly, the movement being limited by abutment of the front endof the casing H against the rear end of the casing F. VIn order to prevent the casing H from turning, a

lpin J may be inserted through registering apertures in lugs or'ears on the two casings and held in place by aset-screwj. 0n loosening theset-screw and withdrawing the pin the casing H, with parts supported thereby, may be given one or more complete turns either to the right or left, thus screwing or unscrewing on the step-box and adjusting the tension of the spring I.

The end thrust of the driving-shaft is received within the step-box by a-short shaft` section or block K, a suitable antifriction device being preferably interposed between the end ofthe shaft and the block. Sai-d antifriction device, as shown, consists of two chilled plates L L and an interposed series ofing ends of which are rounded and mounted as journals in longitudinal slots 71 in the casing H. At one end the stem is formed or provided outside the casing with a lever or handle O for turningthe cam device. Movement of the latter may be limited to a quarter-turn in either direction by a lug mthereon, adapted to engage suitable notches or stops h within the casing, Fig. 5, or by other suitable means. The stem has at its handle end a flange or head n, the dat inner face of which rides over the outer side of the slot h in the casing, and a fiat washer or cup n is screwed or fastened to the opposite end of the said stem and rides over the outer side of the corresponding slot. Said flange and washer insure steady movement of the cam device in turning, and the construction holds the parts well in place, but permitsgready detachment. It will be u nderstood,of cou rse,th at any equivalent form of cam device may be used and that the same may be mounted -within the casing in any suitable manner.

The letter P denotes a bearing-plate transversely disposed and slidably arranged within the rear end of casing I-I. A temper-screw Q, provided with a suitable hand-Wheel, is screwed through the rear end of said casing, and its inner end abuts said bearing-plate, holding it against the cam device and opposing the end thrust of the driving-shaft. The stem of the temperscrew is also screwed through a lock nut R, preferably of the winged or finger type for manipulation ofthe same.

l/Vhen the lever O is horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1, the cam device is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, with its greater diameter interposed between plate P and block K. In this position of the cam device, the temper-screw Q being properly adjusted, the driving-shaft is held in its extreme forward position, thus maintaining the grinding-surfaces together or iu proper grinding relation. The temper-screw may be adjusted from time to time to compensate for wear of the autifrictiou devices or to regulate the pressure between the grinding-surfaces, as may be found necessary. 'lhe force of the spring I is constantly exerted in pressing forward the step-box, with the driving-shaft, block, cam device, and temper-screw, thus holding the grinding-surfaces yieldingly together, and, as before mentioned, the tension of said spring may be adjusted by withdrawing the pin .I and screwing or unscrewing the casing H on the step-box.

When it is desired to release the grindingsurfaces, the lever O is quickly thrown up to vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5, thus in'- ver is again thrown down to horizontal position, and the pressure devices having been previously adjusted it is obvious that on throwingdown theleverthegrinding-surfaces will be brought in exactly the same position for grinding vas before. The slots h permit the cam device to slide back and forth when turned from one position to another, also permit longitudinal play thereof when the temper-screw is adjusted, and take all strains off the journals of said cam device.

In connection with the quick-release I preferably employ a spring-actuated device adapted to separate the grinding-surfaces the instant the lever O is operated to release the pressure between them. The device herein illustrated, Figs. l and 4, consists of a coiled spring S, interposed between a loose sleeve or washer T and a xed collar U, which are placed on the driving-shaft between its front or inner bearing and the hub of the pulley D. The collar U is secured ou the shaft by a setscrew and recessed to house the spring, which has one end seated in a socket in said collar and the other end seated in a-socket in the washer or sleeve T. When the quick-release is operated, the spring, acting against the fixed collar, immediately pushes back the shaft, as shown in Fig. 5, where a separation appears between the collar and loose sleeve or washer. In this position the mill can run safely any length of time withoutinjury to the grindingsurfaces, since the spring prevents them from comingtogether. Whilein motion very little force is required to separa te the runner-heads or disks, and hence the spring S is made weaker than the pressure-spring I, so as to prevent counteracting the effect of the latter when the disks are grinding.

I thus provide an exceedingly simple and efficient quick-release device whereby the mill-operator is enabled with little eort to throw the grinding disks, burs, or plates out of action or bring them together in an instant or within the brief interval of time required to move the operating-lever through its short turn. The release action requires a minimum of effort and is practically instantaneous, for by reason of the interposition of the curved faces of the cam device between the bearingplate and block a very slight pressure or lift on the lever will turn the cam device suffivciently to bring its opposite corners in line between the plate and block, whereupon force of the springs I and S will complete the turn, as is obvious. A little greater force is required for bringing the disks together, since IIC A ythe flat faces of the cam device must be turned against force of the springs, and this is amply suiiicient to prevent the grinding-surfaces from running together prematurely or by accident. My improved device also permits all the ordinary adjustments required for grinding to be made freely and easily and possesses all the strength and rigidity of a solid support for the driving-shaft.

It will be observed that the lever 0 in its horizontal position acts as 'a weight, and thus prevents the quick-release device from being operated by accident, yet when it is desiredv to release the grinding-surfaces a slight lift or stroke on the lever is sucient, owing to the advantageous arrangement of the cam device and coperating parts. On the other hand, when the lever is in vertical position sufficient effort is required to throw it down to prevent such movement by accident, as before explained. This is an advantageous feature, and the arrangement described is therefore preferred, though the invention is not restricted thereto, since any suitable means may be used for operatingthe cam device and stopping the same in its proper position.

While my improved quick-release is preferably combined with a spring-actuated stepbox, as herein shown and described, it will be understood that the releasing device is not restricted to such or any special form of bearing, but may be otherwise applied. The device is also susceptible of various changes in details of construction and arrangem ent without departing from the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination With the runner-shaft, of an endthrust-sustaining member therefor,and a cam device between said member and the end of said shaft adapted in one position to hold the shaft forward and in the other position to permit it to move backward, and means for turning said cam device; substantially as described.

2. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination with the runner-shaft, of a member adapted to sustain the end thrust thereof, an interposed cam device having a greater and a lesser diameter, and means for turning said device to bring either its shorter or longer diameter between the shaft and said member; substantially as described.

3. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination with the runner-shaft, of a member sustaining end thrust thereof, an interposed cam device having a greater and lesser diameter, and means for turning said cam device to place either its shorter or longer diameter between said shaft and member, with provision whereby said cam device can shift back and forth longitudinally when turned; substantially as described.

l 4. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination with therunner-shaft, of a bearingplate, a cam device arranged between said plate and the end of the shaft consisting of ay cylinder or spindle cut away at opposite sides to leave two opposite curved faces and two opposite fiat faces, and means forv turning said cam device; substantially as described.

5. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination with the runner-shaft and its stepbox or casing, of a member in said step-box yadapted to sdstain the end thrust of said shaft, an interposed cam device for controlling the shaft having its bearings in longitudinal slots in the step-box, a'nd means for turning said cam device; substantially as described.

6. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination, with the runner-shaft and its stepbox, of a temper-screw for adjusting said shaft entered through the rear of said stepbox, a cam device for positioning and releasing the shaft interposed between said screw and the end of the shaft, and means for turning said cam device; substantially as described.

7. In a quick-release mechanism, the combination, with the runner-shaft and its stepbox, of a cam device for positioning and releasing the shaft having its bearings in 1ongitudinal slots in the step-box, means for turning said cam device, and a temper-screw for adjusting the shaft entered through the rear of the step-box and acting against the cam device; substantially as described.

8. In a quick-release device, the combination with the runner-shaft and its step-box, of a block receiving the end thrust of the shaf t, a bearing-plate slidably arranged in the rear of the step-box, a temper-screw acting against said bearing-plate, a cam device arranged between the bearing-plate and block, and means for operating said cam device to release the shaft or restore it to its normal position; substantially as described.

9. In a quick-release device, the combination with the runner-shaft and its step-box, of a block in said box receiving the end thrust ofthe shaft, a bearing-plate and a temperscrew acting against said plate, a cam device arranged between the plate and block having a greater and a smaller diameter and having longitudinally-movable bearings, and means for turning said cam device; substantially as described.

10. In combination with the runner-shaft, a spring-actuated yieldable step box, a cam device carried thereby adapted to receive the en'd thrust and position or release the shaft, and means for operating said cam device; substantially as described.

ll. In combination with the shaft, a xed casing, a spring-actuated step-box for the shaft slidably arranged therein and having a rearward adjustable part or casing which limits its forward movement by abutment against IOO IIO

said fixed casing, and an independent quickrelease device for controlling the shaft mounted in and movable With said adjustable casing; substantially as described.

l2. In combination with the shaft, a fixed casing, a spring-actuated step-box for the shaft slidably arranged therein, a member screwed on said step-box and limiting its forward movement by abutment against the fixed casing, and independent shaft-controlling means mounted in and movable with said member; substantially as described.

13. In combination with the shaft, a fixed casing, a step-box for the shaft slidably arranged therein, a spring interposed between suitable stops on said casing and step-box, a member or casing screwed on the rear end of the step-box and limiting its movement by abutment against said fixed casing, said member being adapted to be turned for adjusting tension of the spring, and an independent quick-release device for controlling the shaft cause the cam device to turn to release the grinding-surfaces while a greater efort is required to turn it to bring the surfaces together.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SIMON SNYDER.

Witnesses:

C. E. SPRoUT, WALTER A. KRAMER. 

